1. What is Golden Key?
2. When was Golden Key founded?
3. What are Golden Key’s mission and pillars?
4. Why should I join Golden Key?
5. What are the requirements for membership?
6. After graduation, will I continue to receive benefits?
7. Now that I have received the letter of invitation and want to join, what do I do?
8. The deadline has passed; can I still join?
9. What happens if my cumulative GPA drops after I join?
10. I am already a member of another honour society. Does that mean I am already a member of Golden Key, or are these organizations related?
11. What if I don’t have the money to join now?
12. Must I be involved in activities to be a Golden Key member?

What is Golden Key?
Golden Key is the largest collegiate honour society in the world. Membership into the Society is by invitation only, to the top 15% of college/university sophomores, juniors, seniors and top performing graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on the objective criteria of their academic achievements.

• Golden Key has over 375 chapters at universities and colleges in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, The Bahamas and the United States of America.

Golden Key is a non-profit organization under Section 501C(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. return to top

When was Golden Key founded?
Golden Key National honour Society was founded by a group of undergraduate students and faculty members at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, on 29 November 1977. In 2001, the Society modified its name to Golden Key International Honour Society to reflect its diversity and global presence. The spelling of “Honour” was utilized to observe the more globally accepted spelling. return to top

What are Golden Key’s mission and pillars?
Mission: To enable members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service.
Pillars: Academics, Leadership and Service
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Why should I join Golden Key?
The Society offers members valuable opportunities for individual growth through leadership, career development, networking and community service. In addition, over $600,000 in awards and scholarships is available to members annually. Members also have access to graduate school and study abroad search engines, as well as other unique product discounts. return to top

What are the requirements for membership?
– Top 15% of sophomores, juniors, seniors and top-performing graduate students.
– All full and part-time students from any field of study.
– All traditional, non-traditional and international students are included.
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After graduation, can I continue to be involved? Are there scholarships available for graduate school?
Yes, the following benefits will remain available to members after obtaining their respective degree:

• A number of scholarships including the $10,000 Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award to fund graduate or professional school.
• Golden Key will continue to stay connected with you after graduation to remind you of member benefits as long as you update your contact information with Golden Key once a year online at www.goldenkey.org.
• Some members who have graduated continue to remain involved with the local university’s Golden Key chapter (regardless of where you were inducted).
• Attend alumni events and receptions during Regional and International Summits.
• Golden Key alumni members are eligible for other select member discounts and promotions after graduation.
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Now that I have received the letter of invitation and want to join, what do I do?
You can accept your membership invitation in two ways:

1. Join online via a secured website, www.joingoldenkey.org. Your invitation letter or email will provide you with specific instructions on how to accept your membership and pay online.
2. If you have lost your letter, call Golden Key International Headquarters at 1-800- 377-2401 (M-F 8AM-8PM EST).
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The deadline has passed; can I still join?
Yes. Send your Membership Acceptance Form and complete fee payment to International Headquarters as soon as possible. The invitation you received is valid for one year from the postmark date on the letter or when you received the first email invitation. Your personalized certificate will be mailed to you at the mailing address you provide or presented to you at the new member recognition event if this event has not passed.
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What happens if my cumulative GPA drops after I join?
Once you become a member your membership will not be withdrawn due to grade changes. return to top

I am already a member of another honour society. Does that mean I am already
a member of Golden Key, or are these organizations related?
Golden Key is not affiliated with any other honour societies, therefore it is necessary for you to accept membership using the Golden Key invitation you received to obtain your membership in this Society.

You may see your local chapter of Golden Key partnering with other organizations for service, social and academic projects, however, to become a true member of Golden Key, you will have to adhere to Golden Key’s requirements and process for membership.

What sets Golden Key apart from many other collegiate honour societies on campus are its efforts to provide opportunities beyond recognition and to cater to the needs of students approaching graduation, continuing education and the job market. We accomplish this by providing scholarships on the local and international levels, by promoting service participation by each chapter, by involving students as chapter and community leaders and offering career assistance and networking opportunities.
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What if I don’t have the money to join now?
The invitation to join is valid for one year from the postmark date on the letter or when you received the first email invitation. Partial payment of the membership fee is not available. Complete payment of fees must accompany the Membership Acceptance Form. return to top

Must I be involved in activities to be a Golden Key member?
No, Golden Key was founded on the principle that any student who meets the established academic criteria can become a member and access the benefits offered. Participation is highly encouraged and purely voluntary.

However, Golden Key provides one of the best networks of opportunities to actively participate at the local, regional, national and even international level. Thousands of Golden Key members have utilized the opportunities in Golden Key to develop their leadership skills, engage in community service and enhance their personal network.
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